I know this has been discussed before, however I thought I'd write about my first experience with this CD. I didn't mean to buy it. I was in Best Buy today and was shocked to see three copies of the Rainbow Children for sale. It was cheap so I bought it.

Well, this is the second time I bought a CD expecting to hate it, Rave IN2 was the first and when I played it, I ACTUALLY END UP LIKING IT.

Now don't get me wrong, this would NOT be considered chart topping, trend hitting, "hits" stuff, but if you want a break from the norm and escape to some other music, this CD is okay.

Also the only thing that ruined the CD was that Darth Vader voice on some songs. Why Prince thought this would work, I don't know but it's annoying as heck.

Here's my take on each song, and if I can believe anything, is that I have to listen to songs myself and not follow anyone else's judgement, because I surely thought I would detest this CD. Who knew:

Rainbow children – very nice, killa instrumental at the end. I actually thought I reached the next track then I realized it was the ending of the song. Great musicianship. Just ignore that Darth Vader voice in the beginning.

Muse 2 pharoah, - Okay kind a jazzy/boring

Digital Garden – It starts off great! Don’t know what you call this kind of music, like acid or techno jazz. Then he ruins the damn song at the end with that Darth Vader voice. It’s a shame because the first-middle of the song is good.

The Work Part I – Okay, James Brown sounding funk. Not my thing but its okay.

Everywhere – Great! Very uplifting song, love this one very much. Almost jumped up and testified to the Lord on this one. Love the melody. Like the way it ended.

Sensual Everafter – That damn deep computer voice again, but it’s only in the beginning. After that, aww man! This one is very nice. Prince is such a wonderful instrumentalist.

Mellow - Prince and his bad self. Lyrics are very sexy.

1+1+1 is 3 – don’t know why but it reminds me of Erotic City. I’ll leave it there.

Deconstruction – Nice guitar work, but Darth Vader voice returns again throughout the song. However it does end beautifully for 3 seconds with vocals that sound like the opening of For You on Prince’s first album.

Wedding Feast – Don’t know what that one was about,. It sounded like Jesus Christ Superstar stuff.

She loves me 4 me – This song is way to sad to listen to right now, especially with Prince’s divorce. Listening to the words, my heart just sank.

Family name – Prince getting deep and political here tuned in to wicked bass line. Except for the opening I like this one very much.

Last December – Love, love, love this Song! True musicianship, excellent arrangements, nice guitar work and great vocals. This song gave me goosebumps!
[Edited 7/28/06 19:26pm]

When I first got it, I didn't like it at all. Then I went to the show at Lincoln Center, NYC and gained a whole new "ear" for it. Then I listened to it again...and again...and again...

I now name TRC as my favorite Prince album. I love it! I still listen to it from beginning to end, without skipping anything.

(I love to run into a "huge fan" who swears he/she has everything Prince ever did- then I ask him/her what he/she thinks of TRC and I get )


Lynn

a great one....and the voice works for me....it would sound strange if he were to use his normal voice right?

I love TRC! U 4got The Everlasting Now,tho!

Last December, Everlasting Now and The Work-love em' .

Sounds great but THIS ALBUM IS VERY RACIST!

my only experience with TRC was i bought it as an import. didnt listen to it, and gave it to a guy who was in love with me and i with him.

he was so nervous his hands were shaking, so when i handed it to him he accidentally dropped it on the floor and broke the case.

it got to him too. x

that night, after he kissed me, i got in my car and turned on the radio.
'mountains' came on.

this guy's name was Christopher. he had the heart of a prince. it didnt end well cuz he wanted his cake, and to eat it too.

some men think its their God-given right to be complete dicks, and pretend like they dont know it. they presume they arent completely transparent, and play their women as blind fools.

they grow old lonely and die with their only company...
their ego.
(and syphilus)

sacredwarrior said:

[Edited 7/29/06 6:17am]

chocolate1 said:

I agree. It's different, but it definately has great tracks, and I think everyone should give it a try and form their own opinion.

mikek1 said:

you might think so BUT IT REALLY ISN'T!

mrdespues said:

Please explain?

wonder505 said:

me or the other person? i think some people look for race issues in a lot of things where there aren't any. this album is no exception.

YES IT'S RACIST!!!!!

Everything about this album is perfect, from the musical directions and performances, 2 the lyrics and vocals, 2 the mixing & mastering.

I love the flow, and the narrrative is where it should be, when it should be, and as it should be.

This album is both as diverse and cohesive as it could be.

I don't understand how so many of the "fans" couldn't appreciate this work of art, because they couldn't get into, or get beyond, if necessary, the Biblically inspired lyrics... I mean, if U consider that challenging, Prince's lyrics have always been challenging in one way or another. Also, he's always written about God, and in several ways and forms... Do U believe in God?

Musically, we R all allowed 2 prefer what we want.

2 each his reach, I suppose, but musically, The Rainbow Children represents my musical taste pretty well... especially the title cut.

Peace.

G.
[Edited 7/29/06 7:41am]

mikek1 said:

Wow, a lot of exclamation points with no explanation. If you're referring to Family Name, I didn't take it as racist. My interpretation is that being a minority is more a state of mind and if you look at the whole world people of color are the majority, however that whole this and that mentality is something we need to free ourselves of. It also talks about Family Name which is nothing knew, its in our history books how many slaves were given the names of their masters over their native names. Prince did, in the song, call for everyone to join together as one.
[Edited 7/29/06 8:27am]

mikek1 said:

This is very foolish behavior.

And I understand that there are some individuals that view Family Name as anti-Semetic, for whatever reason, but to call the album racist is just plain idiotic.

The Rainbow Children is currently my top favorite Prince album, and has been for the last couple of years. It is a beautiful experience, on all levels, and he has yet to top it as a complete album experience. Musicology and 3121 don't even come close.

It got me 3...
my 1st xperience of the album was @ the park...kind of sereal. mixed reactions alot was going on @ that time. I rememevr some ppl being real upset.
I loved it ...and the album art.

Prince release the darn fooatge why don't yeah.
we wanna see what kevin dd

GodsloveisTrue said:

Really? I would think a live version would be tons better, but I could understand the confusion. Oh well. I've been listening to it non-stop. I'm truly amazed on how great the musical arrangements are on this CD.

Great musicianship, great album. If only he wasn't so freshly mindwarped lyrically on it, but I guess that's part of its charm.

There are plenty of songs on there most of which are brilliant. Musically, it reflects prince's range. I don't like the gospel choir, it's a bit too much and i just don't get it. The sounds get distorted when i turn the volume up, so it's quite annoying because i'd rather listen to the music loud. Btw, could that be Tamar singing EVERYWHERE?
[Edited 7/30/06 0:25am]

I cannot and will not forgive him for this album - its too self indulgent - and painful to the ears - and that slowed down voice??? what was he thinking....
The only song on this 'album' that even slightly redeems him is 1+1+1=3

BTW - this is my opinion - dont want to offend any TRC lovers out there

easily in my top 5 favourite Prince albums.
Its a classic.
The Voice doesnt bother me either and neither does The Wedding Feast

THE VOICE SPOILS IT; EVEN ALAN LEEDS SAID THIS!

THE ALBUM IS RACIST!

maniraptess said:

You know, I thought the same thing, but looking at the notes its a group called Milenia that sings backup. I thought the choir was good in Last December. Maybe it could have done without it on the Rainbow track but I think he added it for a dramatic event, which he didn't have to because the instrumental end of the Rainbow song is beyond amazing enough.
[Edited 7/30/06 6:34am]

mikek1 said:

then it must be true.

wendyrachel said:

LOL! I guess Rainbow Children is one of those CDs where you either love it or hate it.

I've noticed that Prince fans who fell in love with him for being a great musician love TRC.

Prince fans who fell in love with him him for being a "pop" artist, they hate it.

It's really that simple.

My guess is that if Britney Spears and Thom Yorke both had a vote on this, she'd hate it and he'd love it.

mikek1 said:

I would love to hear why you feel the Album is racist, please explain ?

wonder505 said:

so, she could have been part of the group.. i don't like the added drama or whatever you call it.

wonder505 said:

I agree with this assessment. I don't think Prince intended it to be racist, I think he just chose his words poorly.